Clasp



(No Model.)

J. G. SCHMIDT.

CLASP.

No. 469,274. Patented Feb. 23, 1892.

Wines-$66 m: "cams vzrsns :04, mum-m- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH G. SCHMIDT, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 469,274, dated February 23, 1892.

Application filed September 24,1891. Serial No. 406,655. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH G. SCHMIDT, of

the city and county of Philadelphia, andv State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Clasps for Holding Garments, &c., of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to clasps for holding garments, &c.; and it consists of certain improvements, which are fully set forth in the following specification, and are shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

More particularly my invention relates to improvements upon the clasps described in Letters Patent to J. Schmidt, No. 421,086, February 11, 1890, and to Schmidt, Schmidt, and Harris, No. 421,145, February 11, 1890.

The present improvements are designed to make a clasp of the general character described in those patents more simple in construction,more efficient in operation, and less expensive in cost of manufacture.

I will now refer to the drawings for a description of the improvements, which consti tute the present invention.

Figure 1 is an illustrative View showing my improved clasp applied as a garment-supporter for supporting stockings from a corset.

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the clasp on the line 00 x of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of the same on the line y 'y of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the clasp.

A is the clasp.

B is a band of elastic or other material connected to the clasp A and having its other end adapted for attachment to a stocking C or other object. If desired, each end of the band B may carry one of the clasps A.

D is the corset or other article to which the clasp A is applied.

The clasp is formed of two pieces E F,having their sides formed with projecting portions by which the two parts E F are pivoted together at or about the middle with a pin I. The free ends of the parts E F are bent toward each other to form clamping-jaws c f. The opposite or rear ends of the pieces E F are made with the space between their adjacent inner faces tapering slightly toward their extremities. This is preferably accomplished by forming one of the pieces F with a tapered or inclined end f, which maybe made slightly curved, as shown, the endof the other piece E remaining straight.

G is a strap-link having holes 9 g for attachment of the band B. The upper end of this strap-link G is formed with an angle or elbow II, having an inclined face located between the rear ends of the pieces E F, the edge of the inclined end f being adjacent to the inclined face of the elbow. The flat surface of the strap link rests upon the straight end of the piece E and is guided thereby, the movement of the strap-link to open and close the jaws e f being accomplished by the inclined endf of the part F acting upon the inclined face of the elbow.

J is a spring between the end h of the elbow II and a flange or fixed piece c between the pieces E F. This flange or fixed piece 6 I prefer to form by turning in a tongue of the piece E, as shown. The end of the piece E is provided with lugs i i, which extend over the strap-link G and form guides for it and prevent it from becoming loose. The elbow I-I presses against the inclined end f of the part F and thus forces the jaws f 6 together upon the object D. The spring J acts to normally force the shoulder H back: and keep the jaws clamped, and any increased tension upon the link G forces the jaws c f more tightly upon the object between them. To release the clamp the elbow II is pressed forward against the spring J, which removes the pressure against the end of the piece F and forces the jaws e f apart.

The opening of the jaws may be easily accomplished by pressing upon the end f of the piece F, and the edge thereof acting upon the inclined face of the elbow II presses it forward.

While I prefer the minor details of construction which have been shown, it is apparent that they may be varied without departing from the invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A clasp consisting of the pieces E F, pivoted together, the part F having the inwardlycurved rear end, the strap-link G, having an elbow II between the rear ends of the parts E and F, and the lugs 'r' 1', carried by the part I portion adjacent to the inclined end f of the IQ E and projecting over the link-strap. part F and adapted to be acted upon thereby. 2. A clasp consisting of the part E, having In testimony of which invention I have ya jaw e and a straight rearward extension, hereunto set my hand.

the part F, pivoted to the part E, provided With a jaw f and having its rear end f in- JOSEPH G. SCHMIDT. clined, and a strap-link G, fitting against the Vitnesses: straight rearward extension of the part E and ERNEST HOWARD HUNTER,

guided thereby, having a projecting elbow O. M. DIETTERICH. 

